What Causes Back Pain?
Back pain is one of the most common medical conditions experienced by individuals over the age of 30. Although there are many reasons why one might develop back pain, the most common reason is due to age-related degeneration. With age, spinal discs begin to wear down causing the bones to rub against each other. This can cause pain and discomfort as there is no natural cushion between the bones. In addition to degeneration, other common causes of back pain include poor posture, injury, and excessive physical activity.
If you suffer from persistent back pain, one of the best decisions you can make is to look for solutions that work for you. For many individuals, simple lifestyle changes such as posture correction, dieting, and exercise can help patients find significant relief. Regardless of what your treatment looks like, it is most important to stay consistent.
BEST Health System is an ambulatory center with locations throughout Ohio. We understand how debilitating it can be to live life with persistent back pain. Therefore, we are dedicated to providing solutions to individuals throughout Ohio and in surrounding areas. Whether you are seeking conservative therapies or surgery, we have the tools for you. As medical professionals, patient education is one of our primary goals. Therefore, we have created this general guide on managing back pain through exercise and stretching.
Exercising for Back Pain Relief
Exercise is an essential component when it comes to managing persistent back pain. Although, it is very important to ensure you are following an exercise regime that will not worsen your symptoms. For a general rule of thumb, individuals who continuously suffer from intense discomfort should stick to low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, biking, and other controlled activities. Some exercises such as running, circuit training, and weight lifting can be much more difficult for individuals who suffer from back pain. This is largely due to the fact that these exercises are heavily reliant on form, and when done incorrectly, they could result in additional pain. An optimal exercise routine for individuals with persistent back pain should consist of targeted toning, low-impact cardio, and controlled stretching.
The following exercises are considered to be best for individuals with back pain:
- Swimming
- Walking
- Biking
- Pilates
- Yoga
- Water aerobics
Stretching for Back Pain
Stretching is a highly effective and commonly prescribed technique for back pain. When done properly, stretching can help to alleviate discomfort by loosening stuff muscles and improving flexibility, allowing for improved range of motion. However, it is important to approach stretching with caution and under professional guidance, as improper techniques may exacerbate existing issues.
Individuals with severe back pain also may consider implementing yoga and pilates into their workout routines. These exercises promote flexibility, good posture, toning, and more. Effective back pain treatment should consist of a combination of treatments. Patients working to find a solution for their back pain may try multiple therapies and conservative treatments before determining which is most effective for them.
Strengthening Your Core to Manage Discomfort
Strengthening your core is one of the best ways to minimize back pain resulting from poor posture. One of the most common causes of poor posture is a lack of muscle to keep you sitting upright. By toning your ab muscles, you will be able to fix your posture naturally. When working towards a strengthened core, it is important to be careful when doing some ab exercises. If done incorrectly, some of the exercises could injure your back further.
If you are in the beginning stages of find a solution for your back pain, it is important to get expert help. Some core strengthening exercises can injure the back when done incorrectly. Therefore, attending physical therapy is often an excellent option for individuals with back pain looking to build their core strength.
Spine Solutions with BEST Health System
BEST Health System is proud to offer premier spine care to individuals suffering from persistent back pain. Dr. Keith Girton is one of our dedicated spine surgeons, specializing in minimally invasive spine surgeries. These procedures offer excellent alternatives to traditional, open-back surgery. Patients who choose to undergo these procedures can enjoy many benefits, including smaller incisions and quicker recovery times, all on an outpatient basis.
Contact BEST today if you are suffering from persistent back pain.
